Shoes are the number one item you need as a flamenco dancer. Without the right shoe, you can inhibit your dancing ability as well as cause injury. It’s a sound investment if you’re planning on dancing flamenco for a while.
This store in Playa Del Rey (Los Angeles, California) sells Senovilla shoes, which are known for the rosewood heel that makes a nice crisp sound.
They also have a store in New York City if you’re in the area. They have beautiful shoes that are solid and have fantastic leather quality.
These are gorgeous shoes with super fancy designs and great leather. They don’t sell shoes directly from their site. However, if you’re in Southern California, you can visit Naranjita Flamenco Studio in Anaheim who is a West Coast distributer of the shoes. Otherwise, you can buy them from flamencoymas.es.
This is one of the best brands out there with the quality of the leather and heel sound.
I have a few pairs of these shoes that have lasted me over ten years!
APPS
These apps can play all palos (flamenco rhythms) at unlimited tempos. They also play just compas (the drum machine or metronome) with different varieties of palmas (hand clapping).
Flamenco Metronome for Mac or Windows
DIGITAL DOWNLOADS
These recordings are available on iTunes or Amazon and feature a different palo (flamenco rhythm) for each CD. They include a complete dance as well as plain rhythm with a drum machine that is excellent for practicing.
If you don’t have a good teacher near you or you just can’t get enough of flamenco, it can be hard to scratch that flamenco itch. Youtube is a great source of flamenco video content and it’s fun to go down that rabbit hole. But having a reliable online source for lessons is invaluable and these sites can help.
Rina Orellana Online Flamenco Studio
Of course I recommend my site first! There are over 100 video lessons for new beginners through advanced levels in choreography, technique and lectures to learn the structures.
Here are other sources you may look at as well.
There are many choices out there for costuming. In the studio, you can wear almost anything, but it’s nice to have a pretty practice skirt. Other items you may need in class are castanets (castañuelas,) fan (abanico,) shawl (manton,), bata de cola (long train dress or skirt).
U.S.-based
Spain-based
The easiest solution is to buy a piece of plywood (about one inch thick) and cover it with a coat of polyurethane, and you’re good to go!
But check out these other pre-made solutions.
Tarimas de Danza – Spanish-made practice boards
Stagestep floors for tap
Some are available on Amazon, but at least check YouTube for clips!
Bonus – Anything Carmen Amaya! This is not a movie, but look for any of Carmen Amaya’s movies on YouTube.
Discover Brazeo (beautiful arm work) and Taconeo (powerful footwork).
9 technique lessons & drills to help you get stronger and faster flamenco footwork!
A simple guide with everything you need to know about flamenco dance.
Unleash your inner flamenca with the ONLINE FLAMENCO STUDIO!
You’ll dance with your complete Mind, Body & Soul! Courses for new beginners through advanced levels in foundational movement, technique, choreography, lectures plus a thriving community and guidance from Rina.
© 2022 — Rina Orellana Flamenco.
